The role religion does play and should play in American government September 17, 2012Hour 1 In this era of "faith and value politics,” we find ourselves frequently debating the role religion plays in modern American government. And the role it should play? In his new book, writer Jacques Berlinerblau attempts to answer these complicated questions and concludes that the wall separating church and state is quickly eroding to the detriment of American democracy. Berliner, Associate Professor at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service and director of the University's Program for Jewish Civilization, calls for a return to the American tradition of secularism as our best way to protect liberty, religious diversity, and the right to practice the religion of our choosing — or no religion at all. He says secularism — a political way of thinking about the interconnectedness of religion and government — has been hijacked by both the extreme right and extreme atheists and calls on moderates to work for its return as a guiding principal of our government. His new book is How To Be Secular: A Call to Arms for Religious Freedom.